Yahoo News Parti Liyani case: Shanmugam says to address 5 key issues in ‘major’ Ministerial Statement
SINGAPORE — Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said he will deliver a “major” Ministerial Statement on the Parti Liyani case in Parliament on Wednesday (4 November) and speak about five key issues arising from it.
In a video post on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Shanmugam said firstly, he will talk about the facts in the case.
“Two, and this is extremely important, whether there was any influence peddling in the way the case was investigated and considered for prosecution,” said Shanmugam.
The Member of Parliament for Nee Soon will also address a third issue: “whether any rules were breached in the investigative process because of a wealthy complainant”.
Shanmugam said he will also talk about how to “ensure equality and fairness, equal and fair treatment for all in the justice system” and finally about “decent access to justice” for everyone.
The Workers’ Party’s Members of Parliament Sylvia Lim (Aljunied) and He Ting Ru (Sengkang) have jointly filed a Notice of Motion in relation to the case for the parliamentary session on Wednesday. The motion reads, “That this House affirms that fairness, access and independence are cornerstones of Singapore's justice system and calls on the Government to recognise and remedy its shortcomings in order to enhance justice for all, regardless of means or social status, including facilitating a review of the justice system.”
Background of case
Parti, a former domestic helper of the family of prominent businessman Liew Mun Leong, was initially found guilty of four charges of stealing from the Liews and sentenced to 26 months’ jail in the State Courts. Her conviction was overturned on 4 September after an appeal led by pro-bono lawyer Anil Balchandani to the High Court. The judge found then that there could have been improper motive on the part of Liew and his son Karl Liew in filing a police report against Parti.
The 46-year-old Indonesian had earlier threatened to file a complaint against the Liews for assigning her cleaning duties outside of her scope of employment, as she was made to clean Karl’s home and office.
Parti has a pending legal case against two prosecutors who handled her trial. She had initiated court disciplinary proceedings against Deputy Public Prosecutors Tan Yanying and Tan Wee Hao, who prosecuted her case at the State Courts before District Judge Olivia Low.
Last month, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon said he had found a prima facie case for an investigation and will appoint a disciplinary tribunal to look into the complaint of misconduct against the two DPPs.
Separately, Parti is seeking a compensation order against the Attorney-General’s Chambers. She has decided not to seek compensation against Liew.
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